What rights does SOCAN collect from businesses?

SOCAN administers performing rights in musical works and reproduction rights for copies made in digital or physical form. Performing rights concern live or recorded music played or communicated to the public. Reproduction rights concern making a copy.

The exact licence depends on the final use. Playing music in a restaurant, copying music to a device, streaming a concert online and putting music into a video are not automatically covered by the same permission.

See the official SOCAN rights and licensing information before copying or publishing music.

You do not need a separate SOCAN licence if you only use MelloJam

If your business plays only MelloJam music through the MelloJam player, you are not using music from the repertoire covered by SOCAN's licensing route. MelloJam's original catalogue and the commercial playback rights it controls are included in your MelloJam plan, so you do not need a separate licence from SOCAN for the MelloJam playback itself.

A separate non-waivable venue charge can still apply where local law imposes one. Radio, television, Spotify, other recordings, live music, DJs, events, copying and online use are outside the MelloJam plan.

Back to all SOCAN licensing questions.